Depression is a serious
medical illness. It's more than just a feeling of being sad or "blue"
for a few days. Depression is a disorder of the brain. There are a
variety of causes, including genetic, biological, environmental, and
psychological factors. Depression can happen at any age, but it often begins in teens and
young adults. It is much more common in women.
People
affected by this illness have the symptoms such as persistent sad, anxious, or
“empty” mood, feelings of hopelessness or pessimism, loss of interest or
pleasure in hobbies or activities, decreased energy, fatigue, or being “slowed
down”, difficulty concentrating, remembering, or making decisions, difficulty
sleeping, early-morning awakening, or oversleeping, appetite and/or weight
changes, thoughts of death or suicide or suicide attempts, aches or pains,
headaches, cramps, or digestive problems without a clear physical cause etc.
The first step in getting
the right treatment is to visit a health care provider or mental health
professional, such as a psychiatrist or psychologist. Your health care provider
can do an exam, interview, and lab tests to rule out other health conditions
that may have the same symptoms as depression. Once diagnosed, depression can
be treated with medications, psychotherapy, or a combination of the two. If
these treatments do not reduce symptoms, brain stimulation therapy may be
another treatment option to explore.
